The Federal Government has raised concerns as Nigeria recorded the highest usage rates of skin-lightening products globally, with a staggering 77% of Nigerian women using the products.

Speaking at a regional awareness-raising workshop in Libreville, Gabon, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, warned Nigerians on the dangers of skin bleaching, calling it a public health problem that requires urgent attention.

He noted that the use of skin-lightening products in Nigeria is driven by societal pressures and perceptions that link lighter skin to beauty, success, and social mobility.

Salako stressed that the products contain harmful substances including mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids, which cause serious health risks, including skin damage, organ toxicity, and cancer.

The Minister noted that the Federal Government has taken proactive steps to address the issue, including the development of regulations to prohibit the use of harmful skin-bleaching agents and restrict the concentration of hydroquinone in cosmetic products. Salako urged African governments to restore the cultural movement of black is beautiful to promote Afrocentric appreciation and challenge the pervasive  Western-centrism beauty standards that drive the demand for skin-lightening products.